One of the more surprising developments in the Rams’ Week 1 victory was that the team employed Cooper Kupp as their punt returner. Don’t be surprised when you see the fourth-year receiver catching punts next week. Sean McVay has named Kupp as the team’s punt returner moving forward.
Cooper Kupp is the Rams' punt returner going forward because Sean McVay wants the ball in his playmakers' hands: "The more touches he gets, the better it is for our football team."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) September 15, 2020
McVay simply stated that “the more touches [Kupp] gets, the better it is for our football team.” It seems like the Rams plan on getting their money’s worth from Kupp, who just signed a three year, $48 million extension over the weekend to remain in Los Angeles.
Many expected fellow receiver Nsimba Webster to be the team’s punt returner in 2020. Webster took over the role from JoJo Natson last year in December and returned a handful of punts and kicks in five games. He made the roster again this season in a crowded offense and even returned kicks for the Rams against Dallas. But the Rams chose to go a different direction when it came to their punt returner.
Kupp briefly filled in for an injured Natson as the team’s punt returner in 2018, returning one punt for four yards. It appears the Rams have always been intrigued by the idea of Kupp as a return man but were afraid to commit to it full-time. With Kupp on the books for nearly $50 million, maybe they felt it was finally time to unleash him on special teams.
Expect to see Kupp catching punts for at least the next few games.